The Power of a God-sized Vision
Then there arose a loud outcry. And the scribes of the Pharisees’ party arose and protested, saying, “We find no evil in this man; but if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against God.” ~ Acts 23:9
Today I want to talk about the power of a God sized vision. Many times in life, God puts a thought or idea into a person’s heart. The bible refers to it as a dream or vision. When God gives a vision to an individual, it is guaranteed that it will be bigger than the person receiving the dream. The reason is so that you will have to depend on God, step by step, to accomplish this plan. It also ensures that you will have to have help and to grow in relationships with the people called to work on the mission with you. However, when God does drop a direction in your heart, as you talk with Him about it, you will sense faith rising up and the energy you need to move forward on the plan. Sometimes, you will have an idea that will require a time of prayer and preparation to get started. Other times He calls you to start today, right where you are. The key is in putting yourself into a quiet space and spending time listening to His voice within your heart to know just what your next step needs to be.
In my case, I find myself often worrying about how I am going to do the next thing that is needed. When that happens, I ask Him, “How am I going to do that?” But I don’t make excuses, I wait and listen. Each time I think of that step, I thank God that He has the answer and that He is getting it to me at just the right time. It may take days before the answer comes or even months. However, I know God is reminding me about it when the thought comes and that is my cue to pray about it some more by believing He is going to show me the answer and thanking Him that He is making it plain and clear to me. God knows you and He knows me and what He really knows is how much time each one of us needs to start moving and He strategically plans that into the equation.
In today’s reading at the beginning of Acts chapter 23, Paul was brought before the chief priests and all their council so that the commander of the Roman guard could find out what the dispute was about the previous day. Paul started out his defense by saying that he lived in all good conscience before God everyday. This statement came the next day after he confessed all he had done to persecute the church the day before. It is clear from this statement that he had been forgiven and didn’t let his regrets and past sin hold him back from what God had called him to do.
This is often the place where people get stuck in life. They get saved and into a right relationship with God through the blood of Jesus but cannot get out of the grip of past sin. In reality, they are the ones gripping and holding on to the past, but God wants us all to let it go because He has cleansed each one of us in the blood of Jesus and washed away every stain of sin! Before you are able to “see” where God is leading you in life, you have to be looking in the right direction and that is ahead. Stop looking behind you at your past sin or the hurts you have experienced in life. God is working all of those things for a good purpose now and that is to help others overcome their pasts.
As Paul continued to speak Acts 23, the people there came into a great argument. So that finally one group decided that if Paul had a visitation from heaven whether an angel or God Himself, they did not want to try to fight against what God was doing.
This is usually what happens next to each one of us when given a God sized vision. As we begin to share with others, they quickly see that the dream is much bigger than we can accomplish on our own, so they dispute and try to “talk some sense” into us. These “nay sayers” will knock you right off your course if you listen to them. Although it is not usually wrong to share what God has put in your heart, be selective and start out talking about the idea with those who will pray with you and be encouraging and especially if you do not know for sure if your dream has come from God or just your own imagination.
Next in the reading, Paul is rescued from the dispute and taken to a safe place. You can also follow his example to withdraw to a place of prayer. Create a safe secret space where you can spend quiet time with God each day and every time you are afraid or confused about what is next in the plan. A place where you can find peace and rest for your soul. A place to quiet the external voices and even the internal voices of doubt and unbelief that are talking over His inward voice. This will take place every single day while working on the assignment and when it is accomplished, you will get in that secret place again for your next assignment.
Today I want to encourage you to ask your heavenly Father for a God sized vision for the coming year. This is not setting a goal to become healthier or wealthier. Although those are not bad goals, God’s assignments on your life will be something that impacts the people around you everywhere you go. After you ask Him, begin to thank Him that His plan for your life is on the way and you are ready to receive it and walk it out with His empowerment. Thank Him everyday for it until you realize what it is. If you find yourself making excuses because of where you have come from, what you have done in the past or the lack of education you have had, turn those excuses over to Him and get rid of them! Now you are ready to write down the plan when it comes and begin to pray for where and how to start. Ask Him who to talk to about it and pray about it with. Then begin to take steps as He brings them to your thoughts and heart and ask for His strength along the way. Retreat often to thank Him for calling you and for staying close to you step by step. When you do hear objections or unbelief, ask your loving heavenly Father to protect you from those thoughts and remind you of His grace to do big things for Him. Make this coming year your best year yet by stepping into the mission God wants to do through your life!
Today’s scripture reading: Acts 22:30 – 23:1-10
30 The next day, because he wanted to know for certain why he was accused by the Jews, he released him from his bonds, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down and set him before them.
1 Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, “Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.”
2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth.
3 Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge me according to the law, and do you command me to be struck contrary to the law?”
4 And those who stood by said, “Do you revile God’s high priest?”
5 Then Paul said, “I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’ ”
6 But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!”
7 And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the assembly was divided.
8 For Sadducees say that there is no resurrection—and no angel or spirit; but the Pharisees confess both.
9 Then there arose a loud outcry. And the scribes of the Pharisees’ party arose and protested, saying, “We find no evil in this man; but if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against God.”
10 Now when there arose a great dissension, the commander, fearing lest Paul might be pulled to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the barracks.
Journal:
- What dream or idea has God placed in my heart that feels bigger than me?
- What past regret or fear might be holding me back from moving forward?
- How can I create a quiet place to listen for God’s direction?
- Who in my life encourages my faith and can pray with me about this vision?
- What small step can I take today toward the plan God is showing me?
The Daily Dose 